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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  5. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. present — the time now
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. squash — to crush
  5. squash — the vegetable
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. squash — the sport
  9. rush — hurry
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. wax — to grow
  14. board — a committee
  15. present — a gift
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. board — to get on
  18. stand — to bear
  19. wake — to stop sleeping
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. present — there
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. wake — a trail

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com